Lamar U Discourages Research Via Google with Discovery Service

Lamar University has adopted a new discovery service in an effort to discourage students from using Google for research.

The university found that when students used Google for their research, it "often resulted in taking the first results whether they are relevant or not," according to a news release.

Lamar chose to adopt Ebsco Discovery Services (EDS), in part because students were already familiar with the Ebsco interface and because of the quality of resources available through the service.

"Our students were Google fans — that one search process," said Karen B Nichols, coordinator of reference services at Lamar, in a prepared statement. "What is great about Ebsco Discovery Service is that it gives students the one stop shopping experience that they want while also providing them access to reliable, relevant sources."

EDS "creates a unified, customized index of an institution's information resources" available through a single search box, according to a news release.

Customization is provided via the integration of widgets and the ability to create subject profiles and more.

Located approximately 90 miles south of Houston in Beaumont, TX, Lamar University serves more than 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students. More information is available at lamar.edu.